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Lucq de Bearn, SW France - Jurancon Wine - A great French secret

This area is home to the Jurancon wine region and served by Pau Pyrenees airport from which there are direct flights to Paris, Lyons, Belgium, Holland and the UK. There are two main regional centres Monein and Jurancon (from which the wine takes its name), along the villages of Lucq de Bearn, Gan, Cardesse and Lahourade. The varieties grown here will probably be unfamiliar to most wine lovers - they are the gros manseng and the petit manseng. These vines are grown over the hillsides facing the Pyrenees mountains and are picked late compared with many other southern French regions. Historically this appellation was reputably this first to gain its status in France and was used in the blessing of the baby King Henri IV as he was put in his cradle, a large turtle shell, now is on display in the chateau of Pau.

The wine is available both as sec (dry) or doux (sweet). The sec is a fruity, well balanced dry wine. The sweet, the more famous, can be made from either just the gros manseng (least expensive), a mixture of both the gros and petit manseng or as pure petit manseng (the most expensive). Prices vary from a very reasonable 5 euros to about 150 euros for the best vintage, from best vineyards, with many wines available less than 10euros a bottle. The doux is wonderful with foie gras. Often drunk by the French as an aperitif and by other nationalities as a dessert wine.

There are about 30 domains in the entire area many of which are open to the public either throughout the year or on special occasions. The domain in Lucq de Bearn, Domaine Larroude, has been in the same family ownership for many years and boasts in small tasting centre open daily which also offers the neighbouring farms duck products for sale as well as their excellent and well priced wines.

So, if you fancy a short break or week away wine tasting, why not find a bargain flight and come, see and taste what this area has to offer, because the wine is just one thing amongst the spectacular scenery, historic towns and villages, elegant boulevards of Pau itself, the amazing local foods and you can be sure of a very friendly welcome from the local Bearnaise people.

Written by Gillian Pye - Owner of Property 94840 in Lucq de Bearn, France

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We were made immediately welcome by owner Michel who gave us a quick tour of everything and some background to the cottage. It is very well set out and everything clean and bright. It is situated adjacent to a babbling stream, with trout and birds to watch. Our only initial problem was that as Australian visitors we do not carry bed linen with us, but Michel quickly organised that. We also found the bright street lights strange, but good shutters fix that issue at night and it is a heavenly peaceful place.
The village is gorgeous, very pretty and friendly, tucked into a fold of the mountains, and extremely interesting. If you get a chance, go visit the Ecomusee up the road 800 metres from the cottage. There you can hear how this village came into being in a very different way from many other older established settlements, and also about the rise of women shepherds in the region.
There are many good walks to be found, and good shopping a bit of a drive away - there are no shops in the village. The nearest big town is Oloron Ste Marie, which has a great market and some friendly cafes and eateries, along with beautiful old architecture and the river. In the opposite direction at Accus, not far away from Lourdios, you can go and shop, then watch hang gliders coming down a mountain while enjoying a good meal (along with the resident cat). The black currant tart was to die for.
All up a great place to stay, I would recommend it to anyone.

wonderful location for road cycling with valley rides, undulating roads and mountain cols on the doorstep. Also plenty of walking too
Great hosts who welcomed us warmly.
A definite recommendation to others...just don't go when we might want to go!
well appointed gite, very comfortable with plenty of space.
Great bed and bathroom facilities.
Couldn't fault our stay.